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1 A guide to doing business August 2010 Find out more: phone or visit

2 A guide to doing business in Auckland Small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) make a significant contribution to Auckland s economy, both in terms of innovation and the percentage of the labour force employed. Auckland City Council's economic development strategy aims for a more productive and globally connected economy that delivers jobs, higher incomes and improved living standards for Aucklanders. This guide will provide useful information and resources to assist new and existing businesses to start, manage and grow their business in Auckland. It can help you to: choose an appropriate type of business find the right location get the business established talk to suppliers liaise with real estate agents get good professional advice understand the requirements of running a particular business Since different businesses have different needs, this information is of a general nature. Some of it may not apply to you or how you choose to run your business. In the most recent World Bank Doing Business survey, New Zealand was ranked as the second best country in terms of ease in doing business, just behind Singapore. New Zealand has also been ranked the least corrupt country along with Denmark and Sweden by Transparency International in its Corruption Perceptions Index The Business Improvement District programme contributes to Auckland City's economic prosperity by supporting business development. We are involved with eighteen business associations that provide support and guidance to their members, promoting their business centre as a thriving retail and commercial place. See page 9 for a complete list of the business associations. Auckland City Council - A guide to doing business 2

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Where to get language help... 4 Ethnic network organisations... 4 Where will you locate your business?... 5 Your business structure... 6 Getting the required licenses, permits and registrations... 7 Where to get the business skills you need?... 8 Business Support Organisations... 9 Business Associations A few more things that may be useful Disclaimer: This information is intended as a guide to new business owners and should be used along with professional and legal advice. As Auckland City Council is part of the regional transformation process, some specific information, such as Council website links and contact information may become obsolete on 1 November However, the general information in this publication will remain useful. Auckland City Council - A guide to doing business 3

4 Where to get language help The Office of Ethnic Affairs - Language Line Language Line is a free telephone interpreting service for forty languages. It is managed by the Office of Ethnic Affairs. Language Line enables people with little or no English to communicate with more than 70 participating agencies. Telephone: Website: CAB Language Link CAB Language Link aims to ensure that anyone can access free, confidential interpreting support and advocacy. They offer information and advice in 26 languages on a wide range of settlement needs, queries, problems and services. They also provide 'face-to-face' interviews, telephone and service to anyone in the Auckland Region. This service is provided by the Citizens Advice Bureaux and can be accessed through any of the 90 local CAB offices, the Auckland Regional Migrant Services Charitable Trust or numerous other community agencies throughout New Zealand. Telephone: (09) Website: Ethnic network organisations Auckland Regional Migrant Services Charitable Trust (ARMS) ARMS is a non-profit organisation that provides settlement and employment support to migrants, refugees and returning Kiwis to settle successfully in the Auckland Region. Services are free. Telephone: (09) Website: Pacific Business Trust Assist Pasifika people start and develop successful businesses Telephone: Website: Asia New Zealand Foundation The leading non-government organisation on Asia-NZ relations, working in business, culture, education, media and research Telephone: (09) Website: Chinese New Settlers Services Trust Telephone: (09) Website: China & NZ Business Council Website: Australian and NZ Association of South Korea (ANZA: Korea) Website: The Korean Society of Auckland Inc Contact: Leah Kim Telephone: (09) Website: The Problem Gambling Foundation of NZ (PGF) Contact: Jungim Cho, Counsellor/ Health Promoter, Asian Services Telephone: (09) or Website: Auckland City Council - A guide to doing business 4

5 Where will you locate your business? Setting up a business in Auckland is straightforward, but when you are doing it for the first time, many of the decisions and steps will be new and unfamiliar. The location of your business is a very important decision. The wrong location could jeopardise your success. Points to consider are: Do you need to be located close to customers, or are you able to service your clients remotely via the telephone or over the Internet? Do you need to be located close to suppliers? Consider the delivery costs for raw materials and supplies. What features must your premises have? Consider size, street frontage, show rooms, parking, loading bays and special facilities. Do you intend to lease or purchase your premises? Commercial leases in New Zealand are often complex and difficult to understand and even more difficult to get out of should you wish to relocate or close down your business. Consult a lawyer before you rent a commercial property. Useful contacts to help determine the best region or suburb for your business: Auckland City Council Website: Auckland City Council District Plan Check the zoning of the site you are considering to ensure the business type you are planning is permitted at this location Website: If you need assistance understanding district plan requirements, ring the council on and ask for assistance with the district plan. NZ Retailers Association Provide support and information on leasing a commercial property in New Zealand Telephone: Website: Yellow Pages Refer to this directory of the Auckland Region businesses. Suggested categories include: Real Estate Agents Licensed, Legal Services, Lawyers, Business Brokers & Agents, Property Development & Investment. Website: Auckland City Council - A guide to doing business 5

6 Your business structure Before setting up your business, you will need to be aware of relevant legal issues. Tax obligations - Inland Revenue Will you operate as a sole trader, partnership or limited liability company? Each structure has its own basic tax requirements. Inland Revenue provides an online service outlining your tax obligations, any registrations you may need to complete and where you can go for free tax education and advice, go to: Free phone within New Zealand: International callers: Register your company The Companies Office All New Zealand limited liability companies must register with the Companies Office. Setting up (forming) your company online is a simple process. Visit this website to register your company. Website: Free phone within New Zealand: 0508 COMPANIES ( ) International callers: Employment Relations Service - Department of Labour The Employment Relations Service promotes and supports fair and productive employment relationships through problem resolution, employment rights and obligations, investigation and enforcement services, mediation and information on the rights, obligations and activities of unions. Telephone: Website: Insurance If you have no insurance you will be personally liable for any damage you cause to someone else s property. You must also manage the risk of loss or damage to your own assets; as well as the risk of becoming ill or disabled and unable to carry on your business. You may wish to consult with one of the following organisations to help you decide on the best insurance coverage for you and your business: Insurance Brokers Association of NZ Inc Telephone: Phone Website: Insurance Council of New Zealand Website: Insurance and Savings Ombudsman Website: Banking Almost all New Zealand banks provide business banking services. It is suggested you meet with officers at several banks to decide which one will best meet your needs. For general information or assistance with banking in New Zealand, you may find the following helpful: New Zealand Bankers Association Website: The Banking Ombudsman Website: Auckland City Council - A guide to doing business 6

7 Getting the required licenses, permits and registrations Auckland City Council issues various licenses and permits to do business in Auckland. This is done through the regulatory group of the council, Auckland City Environments. They provide assurance to homeowners and businesses that any building, development or business activity is safe and legal. For more information Telephone: Website: Street trading policy: if you plan to carry out any activities in public places, you must first apply for a licence. To access the street trading policy, click here Rubbish: refer to the Auckland City Council website for rubbish collection days. You will also find useful information on rubbish and recycling bylaws. Signage: building and business signs are controlled by the council's signs bylaw, which can be found at Liquor license: required to sell or supply liquor to the public under the Sale of Liquor Act Food premises license: a food premises licence (certificate of register) is required to sell or serve food to the public under the Food Hygiene Regulations Health license: this page lists the type of activities that require a health license Graffiti: information about reporting graffiti in your area, the free removal service and suggestions for prevention and removal Auckland City Council - A guide to doing business 7

8 Where to get the business skills you need Getting good advice from specialists can improve the performance of your business and allow you to focus on areas that need your attention. Auckland City has partnered with many business support agencies throughout the region. For a full list, please check the Auckland City Council website: Those starting a new business may find the following business support companies useful: Business Mentors New Zealand An introduction to New Zealand business mentors and services they provide. Telephone: Website: Business Information Zone One stop shop to start, manage and grow your business, including training courses Telephone: Website: English for Migrants Telephone: Website: WHK Business Growth Training programmes include: securing finance, planning, strategy, sales and marketing, accounting, office systems, people management, exporting Telephone: Website: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Export information and assistance Telephone: Website: Auckland City Council - A guide to doing business 8

9 Business Support Organisations Auckland City Council Telephone: (09) Website for support networks: t/networks.asp Safer Auckland City This Council programme aims to ensure a safe working and living environment, responding to specific safety needs, as well as issues associated with 'at risk' groups. Website: e/default.asp Safety & crime prevention - NZ Police The police offer crime prevention advice for business. Community policing is police and the local community working together to identify and deal with crime and safety concerns. The Commerce Commission Enforces fair trading laws - including market competition and protecting consumers from misleading advertising. Website: The NZ Food Safety Authority Enforces the food regulatory programme covering food, packaging and labelling, as well as import and export of food products Telephone: (04) Website: Baking Industry Association of NZ Website: Buy New Zealand Made Website: Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association of New Zealand Inc Website: Employers and Manufacturers Association Website: Fashion New Zealand Industry Inc Website: Food Standards Australia and NZ Website: Home business New Zealand Ltd Website: Hospitality association of New Zealand Website: Hospitality Standards Institute Website: Motel Association New Zealand Website: NZ Retailers Association Website: National Association of Retail Grocers and Supermarkets of NZ Website: NZ School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine Website: Packing Council of NZ Website: Restaurant Association of NZ Website: Retail Institute Website: Auckland City Council - A guide to doing business 9

10 Business Associations There are18 business associations located in various business centres. They are partnerships between local government, local businesses and other community stakeholders. Their basic objectives are: business creation and development increased employment and local business investment an enhanced physical environment heritage conservation Your local business association will also be able to provide local knowledge: Vacant premises Local facilities Provide a first-hand look at the neighbourhood and community Association Phone Website Avondale Business Association Eden Valley Business Association Blockhouse Bay Business Association Ellerslie Business Association Glen Innes Business Association Heart of the City Business Association Karangahape Road Business Association Kingsland Business Association Mt Eden Business Association Newmarket Business Association Onehunga Business Association Otahuhu Business Association Panmure Business Association Parnell Business Association Ponsonby Business Association Remuera Business Association Rosebank Business Association St Heliers Business Association Auckland City Council - A guide to doing business 10

11 A few more things that may be useful Getting started Apply for a street trading licence if you are providing outdoor dining facilities or displaying / selling goods in front of your business on the footpath or giving away goods, promotional products, flyers, raising donations, adjacent to the business on the footpath or in public places Complete the basic food hygiene course if you are going into the food business Get legal advice before you sign a lease on a commercial property Don t start a business or commit money to building renovations until you have checked the compliance of your business venture with the District Plan Signs: all signs must comply with Auckland City Council bylaws. Check the website before you put up any signs on the premises or footpath. Once you re up and running Change your window displays regularly customers love to see something new Don t leave graffiti. Keep a spare pot of paint handy and paint it out as soon as you can. Council also has an aggressive anti-graffiti programme that may be helpful. Inform the business association of any incidents that happen, especially incidents related to crime or safety Whether you are just starting up or have been in business for a while it is important that you learn to speak English well. Having good English language skills will help you to avoid misunderstandings and unpleasant surprises when dealing with rental contracts and other legal documents. Auckland City Council - A guide to doing business 11

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